27 global cities have signed agreements to match or exceed EU climate change-related emissions targets, accelerating the bloc’s transition to net-zero.

The EUROCITIES event hosted in the European Parliament took place the day before the announcement of the communication of the European Green Deal.

Cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Leeds, Glasgow, Budapest, Oslo and Stockholm have committed to meet or exceed their voluntary targets by 2030 or 2050, and 12 of the cities have committed to achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2040.

The EUROCITIES has over 40 partner cities and networks 140 cities across Europe. According to the organisation, 64% of member cities have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 and will strive to encourage EU institutions to adopt climate change strategies aligned to the Paris Agreement, supported by appropriate funding.

Stockholm has already reduced emissions from the building industry by 1.3 million tons annually in the last 29 years, the city of Ghent in the Netherlands has helped businesses reduce emissions by more than 6,280 tons of CO2 per year since 2014, and Barcelona has worked with local citizens to formulate a climate plan for the city.

Katarina Luhr, Deputy Mayor of Stockholm, said: “Climate change is not just a challenge but also an enormous opportunity. High time Europe steps up and delivers a Green Deal that brings real change.”

Source: Smart Energy International